Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Experimental Cutting Method That Worked! :))), 1 by sibhskylvr

sibhskylvr wrote:
Some people have asked during the summer - if I bury my brugs in their pots directly into the ground. I don't. I cut mine each year & start with new cuttings - like most that don't have the necessary storage space for larger plants. I avoided the question because I was doing a little experiment on my own. Sorry folks for not answering you directly. I apologize. :) But now I can share the little experiment with all of you! Maybe, just maybe, it will work for others! Hope so! Especially in rooting the more harder 'doubles!' Yeah! You know what I'm talking about! The dreaded 'doubles!!' lol! Sorry - got carried away there! On with the experiment.

Many of you have a Home Depot! I do - but no Lowe's! Stinks too! I'd like a little competition between these two stores in our area. :) Anyway - at Home Depot they have a 2' long (green) hard plastic border. It's approximately 5 1/2" high. It interlocks to make your garden borders. You can keep connecting them for how much you might need as far as how many feet you want your border to be. I didn't purchase them for that reason. (they sell for $1.09 each) When wrapped around the base of your brug - it's about a 7 1/2" circle.

When the brug is planted - wrap one of these borders around the brug. Fill it to the top with Shredded Cypress Mulch! I put a little more! Make it a HEAPING pile! lol! I did this for two reasons. One - to help retain moisture during the hot summer! Less watering always helps! We all know how they LOVE to drink!! And two - coming soon! I've included pics & I'm sure some are a little blurry! (It was down right COLD this morning!!) Im sure you'll see what I'm talking about as you scroll down. Mind you - I only tried this method with the 'doubles!' They are ones I seriously have a problem with in rooting. Out of the double brugs I have - ALL worked with this method. If it had been a little warmer I would have taken pics all darn day of my progress! lol! But then - I couldn't have gone to work! I hate work - it's a dirty word!! I would imagine this method would work with the singles also! (Duh! Had to throw this in!) lol! I've also added a little information with each picture. Before & after shots! :)

Green garden border around 'Adeline!'